Latino Streetwear Entrepreneur Balances Style & Struggle [Video]

Hispanic business owner Mathew Galvez’s brand is a reminder of the strength and resilience

Age does not limit success. You’re never too young or too old to start pursuing your ambitions. Mathew Galvez who started creating his business plan at the age of 16 while still a jr. in high school can attest to that. With the help of NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurs), he was able to get involved in a business curriculum turning his idea for a cool streetwear fashion brand, Lotta Worldwide into reality.

His mixed Latino heritage of Guatemalan and Mexican roots along with his love of dressing well and streetwear style were the concept behind his brand aesthetic. His immigrant parents came to the United States with nothing and struggled to make their way in a foreign country. His Hispanic business brand’s name “Lotta” means struggle in Italian which is the language his father became familiar with from working at a San Francisco business in Fisherman’s Wharf in the ‘90’s with many Italians. This is the word that was constantly shouted out when Mateo visited his father’s workplace, and it seemed a natural fit for his fashion start-up business. The brand’s logo is a group of hands. They symbolize the community and people working together for a common goal which is the underlying message of Mateo’s streetwear brand.

His Hispanic business brand is inspired by the struggles of individuals and communities facing racism, poverty, and violence. Mateo says that wearing the brand is a reminder of the strength and resilience that we can dig into when we are trying to push through our own individual struggles.

Now, 9 years into his business, Mateo has learned a lot about how to overcome his business challenges.

Join our conversation to find out more about Mateo’s top 3 tips for helping his Hispanic fashion business grow:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Reinvest into your business
• Keep a journal

We’ll also talk about some of the current trends in streetwear apparel.

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